In this edition of Dueling Reviews, Blue Falcon reviews Lovefire by Deana James. It tells the story of Princess Joanna’s forbidden love and is set against a backdrop of royal machinations.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Sweet Savage Flame earns a small percentage from qualifying purchases.
Lovefire by Deana JamesRating:
Published: 1985
Illustrator: Pino
Imprint or Line: Zebra Lovegram
Published by: Kensington
Genres: Historical Romance, Bodice Ripper, Forced Seduction, Medieval Romance
Pages: 526
Format: Paperback
Buy on: Amazon, AbeBooks
Reviewed by: Blue Falcon
TOTAL SPOILER ALERT ⚠
The Book
This review is of Lovefire by Deana James, a medieval romance based on actual historical figures.
The Plot
The book begins at an undetermined time in Spain. Here, Joanna Navarre, the book’s heroine, lives with her father, King Charles of Navarre. She has two brothers, Charles II, who is older, and Luis, who is younger.
One day, two Valois guards attack the family home and maim both brothers (their pinky fingers are cut off). Joanna, however, is left alone.
Later, Joanna learns that her father has betrothed her to Jean de Monfort, the Duke of Brittany in France. The Duke is a crippled, disfigured crone who only wants Joanna to be a breeder for his future children.
When Brittany realizes he can’t achieve this goal, he forces one of his lowly knights, Geoffrey Fitzjean, to act as a surrogate lover. Joanna soon becomes pregnant with Geoffrey’s child, later giving birth to a son.
Brittany, however, wants a spare to go along with his heir and makes Geoffrey resume his carnal attentions toward Joanna. She then makes a huge error. During lovemaking, she calls out Geoffrey’s name.
Needless to say, this does not sit well with Jean, who orders both Joanna and Geoffrey to be tortured. However, he then decides to keep both close. Over the next many years—more than 20—Joanna and Geoffrey will keep the lineage going with seven more children.
Jean dies soon after the eighth child is born, and Joanna marries Henry Bolingbroke, who later ascends to King Henry IV.
Although Joanna gains a title—Queen of England—with her marriage to Henry IV, the marriage is not traditional (it is not consummated).
Later on, Joanna finds herself the target of the wrath of Henry V—Bolinbroke’s son—after he ascends to the throne. Henry V accuses Joanna of being a witch. He orders Joanna to be imprisoned until she stands trial, with Geoffrey as her gaoler.
As they spend more time together, they sort things out and realize they love each other. Geoffrey also learns something that will change his life.
Joanna and Geoffrey marry and live out their lives together.
The Upside
Lovefire is based on historical figures who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries. The secret Geoffrey learns at the end of the book is the most interesting part of the book for me.
The Downside
I have no interest in royalty—historical or modern-day. Therefore, reading about the machinations of the royal family circa the 12th or 13th century is of no interest to me. I didn’t find Joanna, Geoffrey, or any of the real people in the book interesting to read about.
Sex
There are a few good love scenes, but nothing terribly erotic.
Heat Level
The steam factor here is very warm. (But as this is a Dueling Review, one’s reader’s warm heat level might be another’s sensual.)
Violence
There were a few violent scenes after the first chapter. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line on Lovefire
Readers who love reading about real historical figures may like Lovefire. Others, like me, may not find much to care about here.
| Rating Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| Writing | |
| Chemistry | |
| Fun Factor | |
| Cover | |
| Overall: | 2.4 |
*HARD TO FIND BOOK/COLLECTOR’S ITEM
Synopsis
Forbidden To Desire
Lovefire by Deana James
Lovely Princess Joanna couldn’t stop the tumultuous emotions that surged through her heart when she first saw the knight Geoffrey Fitzjean. His sculpted face and virile frame made her ache to her very core. His golden hair and slate gray eyes made her crave his tender caress. As the wife of the Duke of Brittany, the ebon-haired beauty couldn’t dare a word–let alone a kiss–with her handsome subject. But as a passionate woman trapped in a loveless marriage, she couldn’t bear the torment of one more lonely night without his rapturous touch!